Home :: GUIDE - Setting and Solving burned out GE Ultimate (Torini) Clutch Shoes

GUIDE - Setting and Solving burned out GE Ultimate (Torini) Clutch Shoes

Solving prematurely wearing clutch shoes on the Noram GE ULTIMATE clutch used on the Torini Clubmaxx engine in KA 4SS.

Are you having problems with clutch shoes wearing out fast? Are you a heavier driver? Or maybe you are running on a track with long straights and a series of tight corners?

The operation of the GE ULTIMATE clutch fitted to the Torini Clubmaxx engine works similar to a drum brake system on a car, just in reverse. When the shoes contact the drum, they create heat. Too much heat will melt away the friction material on the shoes, causing the clutch to fail.

While the friction material on the GE Ultimate clutch helps to provide a smoother and more effective engagement, it does pose an issue when worn rendering the clutch non-usable.

So how do you stop it from heating up then?

If you think about how a car clutch operates, if you slip the clutch for too long it overheats - and then it will simply slip until it cools down (or it may completely destroy the friction material). So, to combat this you need to slip the clutch less on take-off. The GE Ultimate clutch fitted to the Torini engine can be set to a slow, medium (Moderate), and fast (Rapid) engagement. With a heavier driver, or a track with a series of tight corners and long straights (when you are using a taller gear ratio) it is best to set the clutch to the most agressive shoe setting.

The picture below shows how to set the clutch correctly.

TC210 CLUBMAXX CLUTCH SETUP

CLUTCH PART NUMBER: TC-GEL19219

CLUTCH SETUP:
TORINI’S RECOMMENDED SETUP:
SETTING 1
• OUTBOARD MOUNT
• RAPID ENGAGEMENT
• RED SPRINGS
Note - Below illustraton is, shown as viewed from the open end of the clutch.
Note - If the kart chaters or
shakes, either try a sofer shoe
positon or white springs
SETTING 1 SETTING 2 SETTING 3
RAPID ENGAGEMENT
OUTBOARD ROTATION OUTBOARD ROTATION OUTBOARD ROTATION
• SPROCKET ORIENTATION
• SHOE SETTINGS
• SPRING TENSION

MODERATE ENGAGEMENT SLOW ENGAGEMENT
RATIONAL: The clutch design allows for inboard or outboard mountng of the output sprocket, 3 diﬀerent shoe
engagement setngs, as well as 2 diﬀerent spring tensions. This allows the clutch to be “tuned” to suit your
karts unique characteristcs. With correct clutch setup and proper gearing, you will feel an even pull coming out
of the corners and constant acceleraton on the straights.

CLUTCH SPRING: The tension of the clutch spring and clutch shoe setng will determine the clutch engagement
speed and how much clutch slip you will get.
• Engine Idle Speed - 2,000RPM
• Red Spring Engagement Speed - 2,200RPM
• White Spring Engagement Speed - 2,700RPM

SHOE SETTING: Rapid Setng - Minor Clutch Slip
Moderate Setng - Medium Clutch Slip
Slow Setng - Large Clutch Slip

SPROCKET ORIENTATION: Having the output or drive sprocket mounted outboard is the preferred orienataton
for a single engine kart.

FUNCTION: The engine crankshaf is connected to
the input of the clutch via a keyed shaf, while the
output sprocket is connected to the axle by chain.
Centrifugal force is used to engage the clutch
shoes, thereby transmitng power from the engine
to the drive shaf.

CLICK THE PICTURE BELOW FOR A PDF HIGH RESOLUTION VERSION.